April 11, 2025
Time:
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
SS Auditorium, Academic Block, LUMS
The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature at LUMS is delighted to invite you to a book talk and musical performance by Kabir Altaf, based on his recent publication, A New Explanation for the Decline of Hindustani Music in Pakistan.
Why has Hindustani classical music experienced such a significant decline in quantity and quality in Pakistan since 1947? While the common explanations—religion, conflicted national identity, and the loss of patronage—are frequently cited, they fail to fully address classical music's selective marginalisation. This decline can be better understood through a sociological lens, particularly focusing on aspects of the population transfer during the Partition of British India. The asymmetric exchange of wealth, values, and preferences during this period played a critical role in shaping the acceptance and cultural landscape of classical music. Furthermore, the processes of modernisation, urbanisation, and the rise of the market economy also contributed to the transformation of classical music in Pakistan. Can platforms like Coke Studio help revive classical traditions, or do they further distance contemporary audiences from their authentic form?
This talk offers a more nuanced explanation that extends beyond music itself and could prove valuable to social scientists exploring other dimensions of Pakistan's societal evolution.
Kabir Altaf is a Hindustani classical vocalist specialising in khayal. He began his musical training at the age of 10 under Ustad Hamid Hossain while growing up in the Washington, DC, suburbs. Kabir has performed in both Pakistan and the U.S., with performances at the All Pakistan Music Conference in Lahore and at LUMS. His recordings are available on Spotify. He holds an M.Mus. in Ethnomusicology from SOAS, University of London, where his dissertation, A New Explanation for the Decline of Hindustani Music in Pakistan, formed the basis for his recently published book.
Ghazala Irfan is a Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Philosophy at Forman Christian College, Lahore. Previously, she was a core faculty member at LUMS (2001–2011). A Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar at SUNY Stony Brook, she has received multiple accolades, including the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award (2019) and The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold & Silver Rays (2022) from the Emperor of Japan. A dedicated patron of classical music, she has served as Secretary-General of the All Pakistan Music Conference since 2005, playing a key role in preserving Pakistan’s rich musical heritage.
Athar Masood is a scholar of Persian language and literature, with a deep interest in music and translation. He served as the editor of Ravi, the literary magazine of Government College, and taught at LUMS from 2011 to 2018, where he introduced several new courses on Persian poetry. His published works include Jamal Kahaniyan, Parbat Ke Us Paar, Naghma-e-Qudsi, Hindustan Ki Mosiqi, and Maqalat-e-Masood. His research focuses on the rich intersection of Persian literature and South Asian musical traditions.
The discussion will feature insights from Ghazala Irfan and Athar Masood, along with a special musical performance by the author himself. Join us for this engaging conversation as we explore the past, present, and future of Hindustani classical music in Pakistan.
